PFEIFER: Decision is tragic for our country

The Catholic Bishops of the United States of America have called literally unconscionable a decision by the Obama Administration to continue to demand that sterilization, abortifacients and contraception be included in virtually all health care plans in our country. This surprising and sad announcement means that this mandate and its very narrow exemption will not change at all; instead, there will only be a delay in enforcement against some employers.

To force American citizens to choose between violating their consciences and foregoing health care is as much an attack on access to health care as on religious freedom. Historically this represents a challenge and a compromise of our religious liberty. The government should not force Americans to act as if pregnancy is a disease to be prevented at all costs. The decision of the current administration tramples on the religious liberties that Americans have held dearly for more than two centuries given to all of us by the First Amendment.

For Catholics, as well as many other Christians, this mandate is unacceptable. Forcing employers to pay for abortion-inducing drugs for their employees is a serious violation of conscience. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those services in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies. This is an unjust law.